The Burden of Neglect: Examining Environmental and Health Risks at Kiteezi Landfill, Uganda

The Kiteezi Landfill, located near Kampala, Uganda, exemplifies the severe environmental and health challenges arising from inadequate urban waste management. Established in 1996, the landfill was designed to handle the city's waste but has been operating beyond its capacity for years. By 2024, it had received between 1,500 and 2,000 tons of solid waste daily, far exceeding its intended limits by more than 200%. This study investigates the environmental and public health impacts of the Kiteezi Landfill in Uganda. The primary research question is: How has inadequate waste management at Kiteezi Landfill contributed to environmental degradation and public health crises? This study hypothesizes that poor waste management policies, lack of recycling infrastructure, and minimal regulatory enforcement have significantly increased environmental hazards and health risks for surrounding communities. A review of existing literature on urban waste management highlights that unregulated landfills often contribute to severe pollution, groundwater contamination, and increased disease prevalence. Similar global cases such as waste crises in Lagos (Nigeria) and Mumbai (India) have demonstrated the dire consequences of failing to implement sustainable waste solutions. The Kiteezi Landfill disaster of 2024, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, displaced over 500 households, contaminated local water sources and resulted in fatalities (35 people), further proving the urgent need for reform. Findings from this study have broad applications, including advocating for engineered landfill technologies, waste-to-energy projects, and community-driven recycling initiatives. This study underscores the necessity of sustainable waste management policies to prevent future environmental and public health crises in rapidly urbanizing regions. Future research will explore the role of policy frameworks and community engagement in achieving long-term waste management solutions. Keywords: Kiteezi Landfill, Waste management, Environmental degradation, Urban sustainability, Health hazards, Uganda